Paul Van Himst

Belgium · Second striker (Attacking midfielder, Left winger) · Gen 1 · Pelé & Maradona · Peak 1960-1972

Belgium's finest forward, combining elegant technique and goals

Nicknames Le Pelé Blanc, Popol, Polle Gazon

79.1OVR#243 of 1,235 outfield players

Position-weighted average of all outfield and career attributes, as on the main table.

“He was so skilled at dribbling. As an opponent, you simply couldn't get near the ball.”
— Frank Raes, Belgian journalist (Sporza) · 2023 · source

Category averages

  • Speed77.7
  • Shooting79.2
  • Passing81.0
  • Ball Control85.2
  • Movement75.4
  • Football IQ85.5
  • Defending Skill33.2
  • Physical73.2
  • Mental78.0
  • Career82.2

Top 10 attributes

  1. Possession90
  2. Loyalty90
  3. Vision89
  4. Dribbling89
  5. Short Passing88
  6. First Touch88
  7. Press Resistance88
  8. Spatial Awareness88
  9. Consistency88
  10. Finishing86

All 64 attributes

Speed 77.7

  • Top Speed77
  • Acceleration79
  • Dribbling Speed81
  • Top Speed with Ball76
  • Knock-on & Run69
  • Change of Pace84

Shooting 79.2

  • Finishing86
  • Shot Power80
  • Long Shots82
  • Volleys80
  • Curve82
  • Penalties82
  • Heading72
  • Direct Free Kicks78
  • Shooting Creativity80
  • Acrobatics70

Passing 81.0

  • Short Passing88
  • Long Passing80
  • Through Balls84
  • Crossing76
  • Link-up Play86
  • Vision89
  • Set-Piece Delivery64

Ball Control 85.2

  • Dribbling89
  • Possession90
  • First Touch88
  • Skills & Tricks82
  • Weak Foot74
  • Press Resistance88

Movement 75.4

  • Off-the-Ball Movement84
  • Runs in Behind78
  • Attacking Positioning86
  • Anticipation84
  • Recovery Runs45

Football IQ 85.5

  • Decision Making86
  • Spatial Awareness88
  • Game Management82
  • Tactical Creativity86

Defending Skill 33.2

  • Defensive Positioning36
  • Marking32
  • Interceptions38
  • Standing Tackle38
  • Sliding Tackle30
  • Offside Trap25

Physical 73.2

  • Strength66
  • Stamina73
  • Agility83
  • Balance86
  • Recovery80
  • Reactions83
  • Hold-up Play70
  • Aerial Duels56
  • Aggression62

Mental 78.0

  • Big-Game Temperament82
  • Leadership82
  • Selflessness76
  • Concentration78
  • Determination80
  • Tactical Discipline70

Career 82.2

  • Consistency88
  • Longevity86
  • Achievements65
  • Durability82
  • Loyalty90

Profile

Born
2 October 1943
Height
180 cm
Foot
Right
Career
1959–1977
Prime
1960-1972

Club career

  • 1959–1975 Anderlecht
  • 1975–1976 RWD Molenbeek
  • 1976–1977 Eendracht Aalst

Honours

League title · Belgian First Division Anderlecht 8

1961–62, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1971–72, 1973–74

Trophy illustrations: Wikimedia Commons

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